This site, The People’s Dialectic, is intended to be a platform for me to share my thoughts and ideas regarding government and social justice. It is my hope that it will also become a forum for others to discuss those thoughts and ideas. At no point will I claim to know the answer to a particular problem, or insist that my way is the only way or the best way. Please, please, please, feel free to comment on any post you find here.
The definition of dialectic is: the art of investigating or discussing the truth of opinions. Plato believed that truth could be found through thoughtful and reasoned discussion. This blog will work to find solutions to real social and economic problems in this country and the world by bringing common people together in such a way as to stimulate and create ideas.

One book in particular has shown me how important it is to start this kind of work immediately. People’s History of the United States of America, by Howard Zinn is an extremely powerful and insightful book about the history of this “democratic” nation and the people who have been affected by it: rich and poor, Americans and citizens of the world alike.
Now, I am not a historian. I am not an economist or political scholar and this is my first attempt at an essay of this nature. I am a mid-level computer geek by profession, a writer by practice, and a political and social activist by desire and necessity. My experience in the political arena is recent and limited. I am a registered Democrat (by necessity) and a member of the Steering Committee for the local chapter of The Progressive Democrats of America. I was a Delegate to the May 2006 Hawaii State Democratic Convention and am an active volunteer for Senator Dan Akaka’s Reelection campaign and for Bill Woods’ District 30 campaign for the Hawaii State House of Representatives.
I still have much to learn and a long way to go to start making the positive changes I think are absolutely necessary. However, rather than wait until my proper education is complete (which may never happen), I thought “why not start now?” It might be helpful and interesting for people to follow my education. The most important thing I’ve learned so far is this: you don’t have to wait for the right circumstances or a proper education. You can learn along the way, by doing and reading and being involved. And if you wait for the right circumstances or the right time, you will spend the rest of your life waiting. Now, now is the time to get started.